Will Santos, R.N., B.S.N. (CNII PICU/PCICU)

June 2012

Working in the PICU/PCICU is an honor. Honestly, it is great because it provides everything a nurse needs. Working in the PICU is a privilege, is allows me to be a positive aspect during many families darkest hour. I enjoy connecting with those families, and being able to bring a smile to their faces. The PICU is thrilling. When you receive very unstable transports from outside facilities, the families are frazzled from a series of traumatic events, and then we work a full 12 plus hours to keep the child from dying. The PICU is terrifying for the very same reason. The PICU is sobering and grounding because you get a definite picture of human frailty. The PICU is euphoric when you see a patient who by all accounts should not recover from their injuries leave the hospital walking, talking, joking, and giving you a hug.

But, the best part of working in the PICU/PCICU at UC Davis Children's Hospital is our staff. There is no way anyone would be able to continue to function in even a slightly healthy manner without our supportive staff. We work as a team, we triumph as a team, and we grieve as a team.